Day in the life of a Filipina Nurse Practitioner

Healing Journey Diaries — March 7, 2026

Back Home in San Diego

After the long drive from Northern California, we finally made it back to San Diego, to the house where I grew up. Walking into this home always brings a wave of memories. The house was recently renovated about a year ago, so it looks a little nicer now, a little more updated. But even with the renovations, it still holds the same feeling of familiarity and history.

This house represents the beginning of our life in the United States. When we first moved here from the Philippines, I was only ten years old. We didn’t come from much, and this small home held many people and many stories.

Back then, this room I’m sitting in now was shared between my mom and me. Another room belonged to my grandparents, Nana and Tatai. The third room was shared by my uncle, my aunt, and my two cousins. It was a full house—very typical of many Filipino families where multiple generations live together under one roof.

Looking around now, the room has turned into more of a storage space, but the memories are still here. It reminds me how far we’ve come.

Family Moments in the Kitchen

When we arrived, the house was already lively. My mom was eating Panda Express while my brother started cooking fish balls he bought from Island Pacific, a Filipino grocery store that carries so many nostalgic foods from home.

The kitchen smelled like comfort and familiarity. My mom had also brought dried fish from the Philippines, something she managed to pack in her luggage. These small things—food, smells, flavors—connect us to our roots.

My brother was experimenting with the fish balls, frying them up and serving them with sauce. I tried some and realized that I actually liked them better with simple suka (vinegar). The fish balls themselves were already rich, so the vinegar balanced it out perfectly.

And of course, our little Dottie—Dots—was nearby, mostly interested in food and patiently waiting for someone to drop something.

Gifts from Japan

My brother recently came back from Japan, where he is stationed with the U.S. Navy as a corpsman. He just received a promotion, which we are all incredibly proud of.

He brought back some small gifts for me, including snacks and drinks from Japan. There was Sakura latte, matcha drinks, Pocky, and other treats, along with a cute shirt and even a viral Japanese soap shaped like pizza.

Most of the snacks will probably go to my co-workers, because I love sharing little things like that with the team at work.

It’s funny to think that we came home with almost nothing when we first arrived in this country, and now we’re exchanging gifts from places like Japan. Life really does change in unexpected ways.

Walking Through Old Memories

Later in the afternoon, we decided to go out for a walk with my mom, my brother, and the dogs. It was such a beautiful day—sunny, clear, and around 70 degrees, the kind of weather San Diego is famous for.

We drove toward Seaport Village, taking the scenic route through downtown. As we drove past familiar streets, I started remembering how often I used to come here years ago. When friends would visit, this was one of the places I loved to bring them for long walks along the water.

San Diego has changed so much since then. There are new restaurants, new buildings, and so many new developments. But the waterfront still feels peaceful and timeless.

Sunset at Seaport Village

When we arrived, the waterfront was already filling with people waiting for the sunset. The San Diego skyline stretched across the horizon, and the Coronado Bridge stood beautifully in the distance.

It felt calm and quiet in that moment. People were taking photos, walking along the path, or simply sitting and watching the sky slowly change colors.

We were lucky enough to find parking—something that always feels like a miracle near the waterfront. Once we parked, we walked around with the dogs, enjoying the breeze and the peaceful energy of the harbor.

Sometimes the simplest moments—walking by the water, feeling the sun, watching the sky—are the ones that bring the most clarity.

Seeing San Diego in a New Light

As the sun started to set, the sky turned shades of orange and gold. The water reflected the light, and everything looked almost unreal.

Standing there, I realized that I was seeing San Diego in a completely different way than before. When I lived here years ago, I didn’t always notice the beauty the same way. Now, after living in other cities and going through so many life experiences, I can appreciate it more deeply.

San Diego really does feel like one of the most beautiful cities in the country.

A Simple, Beautiful Day

By the time we walked back to the car, it was already evening. The air was still warm, and the city lights were starting to come on. Tomorrow the clocks will move forward for daylight saving time, marking the beginning of spring.

It was just a short trip—only one night in San Diego—but it felt meaningful.

Being back in this house, walking through the neighborhoods I grew up in, and spending time with my family reminded me of how much life can change over time.

And yet, some things remain the same:
family, memories, and the feeling of home.

Quiet Reflections

Back in my old room later that evening, I sat quietly for a moment. I felt exhausted from the drive, from the week, and from everything that’s been happening lately.

But I also felt grateful.

Grateful that I survived difficult seasons.
Grateful that I can come back here and remember where I started.
Grateful that life continues to move forward.

Maybe later I’ll do a short yoga session or meditation, just to reconnect with my body and breathe.

For now, I’m just letting myself rest.

Because sometimes the most healing thing we can do…
is simply come home. ✨